Jun. 3, 2011

The Asian Pacific Women’s Center held its ninth annual Metamorphosis Gala at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in May. A fundraising venue for the Asian Pacific Women’s Center, the Metamorphosis Gala featured a silent auction, a gourmet dinner and sake tasting for all participants. The Asian Pacific Women’s Center is a nonprofit agency devoted to serving women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. The organization is particularly geared toward immigrant families and provides a transitional shelter and therapeutic services in the survivors’ native languages. “APWC’s Metamorphosis Gala celebrates the incredible resilience and courage in the women we serve and the transformation they undergo in leaving their batterer to make a better life for themselves and their children, free from violence,” said Judy Lam, partner at Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff and gala chair. “[A] wonderful community of supporters gives generously every year to enable this transformation and to bring awareness and solutions to a problem that is often hushed in our culture.” The center presented Wells Fargo Bank with its Outstanding Corporate Partner award; Beyond Shelter with the Outstanding Community Partner award; and Jamie Asada as Outstanding Volunteer. In a news release, Caroline Choe, president of APWC’s board of trustees, said the funds raised at the annual event help an underserved minority population to become self-sufficient and independent after leaving violent homes. “Our … gala pays tribute to our clients’ transformation and to the tremendous work of our dedicated staff, volunteers and donors in aiding that metamorphosis.”